Carbon Fiber To The Next Level...

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Mar 26, 2011 | 02:58 PM
  #1  
Hi guys, I posted a couple pictures of this in another thread, but I thought I'd put up a dedicated thread. Because of the time it takes to make some of our oddly shaped carbon fiber parts, like the y-pipe, intake plenum, and 997TT turbo inlet pipes, we've invested in a new machine to expedite the process and perfect the parts.

Essentially, what the machine does is allow us to "print" an actual mold of the part we're going to be making. That mold is then wrapped 360º in carbon, cured, and clearcoated. Once the carbon is on and dry...we simply dropped the finished part into a water-based solution that dissolves the mold inside, leaving only the finished part.

Some who have our y-pipe or plenum would notice that they're essentially two halves, which are produced and then molded together. Now, there will be no seams at all eliminating half the process of producing each part. I thought it was pretty darn cool, and worth sharing. Here's a couple pictures of us test fitting the new molds for our 997TT turbo inlet pipes. We're also exploring the possibilities of producing some other carbon parts that were previously impossible to make. Enjoy



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Mar 26, 2011 | 03:28 PM
  #2  
Big Time!!!! Always breaking new ground!! Thanks CMS!!!
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Mar 26, 2011 | 03:30 PM
  #3  
Quote: Big Time!!!! Always breaking new ground!! Thanks CMS!!!
Thanks man. Snow melt up there yet? I got some updated results from overseas this morning....gonna be some surprises posted up real soon.
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Mar 26, 2011 | 03:36 PM
  #4  
Just got back from vt...last trip...30 degress today WTF! shoot me a email can't wait
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Mar 27, 2011 | 11:34 AM
  #5  
3D prototyping is big bucks, impressive to see the investment here but again I expect nothing less from Champion.
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Mar 27, 2011 | 03:32 PM
  #6  
Love seeing the motor out of the car, can't wait to see the progress.
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Mar 27, 2011 | 06:55 PM
  #7  
It's almost unfair "the world's largest Porsche dealer gets into the modding game"

Not saying it IS unfair of course

It must be pretty easy convincing some dude who just plunked down 170K for a new performance car to up the ante a bit.

Does champion offer some kind of warranty that mimics the factory drivetrain warranty? I know dinan used to do that. Really helps buyers feel comfortable.
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Mar 27, 2011 | 08:23 PM
  #8  
Quote: It's almost unfair "the world's largest Porsche dealer gets into the modding game"

Not saying it IS unfair of course

It must be pretty easy convincing some dude who just plunked down 170K for a new performance car to up the ante a bit.

Does champion offer some kind of warranty that mimics the factory drivetrain warranty? I know dinan used to do that. Really helps buyers feel comfortable.
haha we've been in the modding game for a while now, we've just stepped it up a bit recently

You can find a full copy of our Champion Motorsport warranty on our website, or here:

Champion Motorsport Warranty
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Mar 27, 2011 | 11:20 PM
  #9  
Amazing. You guys should really market this...

DURATION: The duration of this Limited Warranty shall be equal to the duration of the automobile manufacturer’s warranty of the automobile on which the parts are installed (“Factory Warranty”), but not less than one year or 12,000 miles and not more than four years or 50,000 miles.
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Mar 28, 2011 | 03:00 AM
  #10  
impressive work

Quote:
Essentially, what the machine does is allow us to "print" an actual mold of the part we're going to be making. That mold is then wrapped 360º in carbon, cured, and clearcoated. Once the carbon is on and dry...we simply dropped the finished part into a water-based solution that dissolves the mold inside, leaving only the finished part.
are you saying this white piece get resolved? I know from some experience with 3D prototyper or 3D-printer that once you get the parts out o the 3d printer you put in in some sort of solvent to dissolve the support material which is usually BLACK and very soft. Now after you finish your carbon parts you put it in another solvent and it dissolves the white material showing ?????
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Mar 28, 2011 | 07:19 AM
  #11  
Quote: impressive work



are you saying this white piece get resolved? I know from some experience with 3D prototyper or 3D-printer that once you get the parts out o the 3d printer you put in in some sort of solvent to dissolve the support material which is usually BLACK and very soft. Now after you finish your carbon parts you put it in another solvent and it dissolves the white material showing ?????
That's correct. The white material you see in the pictures is the mold. Once it's wrapped with carbon and cured, the entire piece is placed into a solution which dissolves the mold material. The benefit is that if we need to make adjustments or changes to the molds, the changes are made in the 3D modeling program very quickly, rather then requiring a new mold to be made by hand.
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Mar 28, 2011 | 09:21 AM
  #12  
hmmmmm teasing !! wish champion nothing less than best of luck
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Mar 28, 2011 | 09:59 AM
  #13  
excellent news, a friend of mine recently bought a few pieces from you guys and i noticed what you just mentioned (regarding two halves put together) on the front lower splitter for the 997 tt, there is a seam. Glad to see you guys continuously upping the anty, great stuff Tom.
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Mar 28, 2011 | 11:42 AM
  #14  
Great stuff. Thanks for the post.
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Mar 28, 2011 | 12:22 PM
  #15  
Can't wait to see more news!
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